Jordan ready to be Wizard
Associated Press
The worst-kept secret in sports is out: Michael Jordan will play again in the NBA — and not just for one season, but two.
After months of hints, smiles and winks that kept his fans on edge, Jordan finally announced his comeback yesterday, saying he would play for the Washington Wizards through 2003 and donate his first year's salary to victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Michael Jordan has his sights set on the playoffs.
"I am returning as a player to the game I love," said Jordan, 38 and three years removed from what seemed to be a storybook ending to an unparalleled career. "I am especially excited about the Washington Wizards, and I'm convinced we have the foundation on which to build a playoff-contention team.
"The opportunity to teach our young players and help them elevate their game to a higher level, and to thank the fans in Washington for their loyalty and support, strongly influenced my decision," he said in a statement issued through his management agency.
The five-time league MVP, who retired for a second time in 1999 after leading the Chicago Bulls to their sixth title of the decade, made it official after clearing up a licensing issue with one of his spon-sors — a disagreement that delayed the announcement by a day. NBA rules also required Jordan to sell his ownership stake in the Wizards.
Because of salary-cap restrictions, he signed a two-year contract, which will pay him $1 million a year, the league minimum for a player with 10 or more years' experience.
Jordan never completely ruled out a comeback when he retired in January 1999, hedging his bets with the statement that he was "99.9 percent" certain he would never play again. Leaving the door open, even by one-tenth of a percent, meant Jordan could slip back into a uniform without going back on his word.
Now, he has.
"I am happy to welcome Michael Jordan, the player, back to the NBA, although, as commissioner, I am sorry to lose him in the board room," NBA commissioner David Stern said. "Michael has always brought joy to basketball fans around the world, and, in these difficult times, we can all use a little more joy in our lives."
Jordan's announcement was sure to hearten a city shocked by terrorism. Washington's economy has suffered since the Sept. 11 attacks, with Reagan National Airport remaining closed and hotel bookings far below capacity.
His regular-season debut will be Oct. 30 at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks. Jordan will wear his old Chicago number (23).
"The greatest player in the history of the game is joining my team, and for that I am extremely honored and pleased," Wizards owner Abe Pollin said.
Jordan will be in the unusual position of playing for the coach he hired, Doug Collins, who joined the Wizards in April and also coached Jordan for three seasons with the Bulls in the 1980s. Jordan will share the court with players he signed, drafted and traded for, including high school sensation Kwame Brown, selected No. 1 overall by the Wizards in June, and veteran forward Christian Laettner.
• Iverson, McKie surgery: Allen Iverson and Aaron McKie both had surgery yesterday and will not be able to play for the Philadelphia 76ers for at least a month.
Iverson, the NBA's MVP who led the 76ers to the Finals last season, is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks after an arthroscopic operation on his right elbow. He probably will be ready for the season opener Oct. 30.
McKie, the league's top sixth man, had a similar procedure on his right shoulder and will be out 6-to-8 weeks. He could start the season on the injured list.
• Longley retires: Luc Longley, a 10-year NBA veteran who won three NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls, announced his retirement yesterday.
Longley, who played in 25 games for the New York Knicks last season, has an arthritic condition in his left ankle that forced his retirement.
